Blind Rehabilitation Outpatient Specialist manages and provides direct blind and vision rehabilitation training services to visually impaired Veterans and Servicemembers. BROS identifies, assesses trains manages and provides follow-up for Veterans using clinical resources of the facility.

Duties

The Blind Rehabilitation Outpatient Specialist (BROS) provides direct patient care and support services to an adult population of patients which is characterized by a very significant number of older male patients as well as young OEF/OIF Veterans who may have wound and trauma related vision loss. This position functions independently in a number of settings including hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers, long-term care facilities, educational institutions and home environments. The BROS is a member of the Blind Rehabilitation Service, the interdisciplinary Visual Impairment Services Team, and interacts with Rehabilitation Medicine, Audiology, Social Work, Prosthetic and Sensory Aids, and other Services and agencies of the VA and the community. Duties include but are not limited to: Responsible for blind and vision rehabilitation assessment, planning, training, and outcomes evaluation on each Veteran for whom service is provided. Consults with Poly trauma team, VIST, eye clinics, blind and vision rehabilitation services and community resources to locate and serve potential Veterans to offer direct blind and vision rehabilitation service in all five skill areas in the veteran's home, other residence or within the community as the need arises. Develops recommendations and specifications for all blind and vision rehabilitation contract services specific for a Veteran' s blind and vision rehabilitation care. May administer a blind and vision rehabilitation-training program for the operation of a Poly Trauma unit, creating necessary local policies, projecting and administering budgets, documenting workload, writing reports, outcomes, scheduling of patients, etc. Works closely with local VIST, Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service and the regional Blind Rehabilitation Center to identify, recommend and obtain equipment for Veterans during their rehabilitation and provides full training. Develops an individualized rehabilitation-training plan for each Veteran with rehabilitation potential. Each plan includes Veteran and/or family goals, as well as achievable and measurable outcomes. All other duties as assigned Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 0800-1630 Telework: AD-HOC Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00510A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency: [Candidates who are not proficient in written and spoken English will not be appointed to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA under the authority of 38 U.S.C. chapters 73 or 74. See Chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part.] Education and Experience: (a) A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major field of study in blind or vision rehabilitation, or a closely related program in rehabilitation, special education, family and consumer science education, technology, and industrial arts education; OR, (b) A master's degree from an accredited college or university with a major field of study in blind or vision rehabilitation, or a closely related program in rehabilitation, special education, family and consumer science education, technology, and industrial arts education; OR, (c) A bachelor's or master's degree from an accredited college or university (without a major field of study as outlined in (1)(a) and (b) above) and obtained a certificate from an accredited college or university in the core curriculum in orientation and mobility, vision rehabilitation therapy, assistive technology for blind and visually impaired individuals, or low vision therapy. This education must have included supervised practice; and (d) Completion of one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the BRS, GS-9 grade level; OR, (e) Three (3) years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a doctoral degree in blind rehabilitation or a directly related field. Grade Determinations: GS-12 Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, completion of a minimum of 1 year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level is required. Certification: At the GS-12 grade level must achieve two ACVREP certifications to demonstrate full mastery in two areas of blind rehabilitation. Two certifications at the GS-12 grade level granted by ACVREP as follows: (a) Orientation and mobility training - Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists (COMS). (b) Communication and daily living therapy - Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapists (CVRT). (c) Low vision therapy - Certified Low Vision Therapists (CLVT). (d) Assistive technology - Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialist (CATIS). Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to meeting the KSAs at the GS-11 grade level, the candidate must fully demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Skill to independently develop, plan, and administer complex treatment programs. (b) Ability to act as a subject matter expert in the blind/vision rehabilitation field, and as consultant, supervisor, and/or mentor in evaluating and treating patients in specialty or program areas. (c) Ability to coordinate, motivate, and effectively manage staff and/or committee members to include organizing work, setting priorities, and delegating tasks and responsibilities. (d) Ability to disseminate appropriate information through various media as a consultant or mentor. (e) Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with patients, employees, other team leaders, managers, and other stakeholders. (f) Ability to identify team group dynamics, objectively observe, and modify behaviors. (g) Ability to apply decision-making principles to adjust programs on a day-to-day basis, to develop short-term and long-range goals, and to plan for future utilization of resources. Preferred Experience: Posses the ability to assess and train on adaptive technology and to serve as a blind rehabilitation expert for other heath care providers. Able to work alone in varying environments. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/110 PART II APPENDIX G42 Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address Lexington VA Health Care System 2250 Leestown Road Lexington, KY 40511 US
• Name: Keyona Browning
• Phone: 615-225- 6489
• Email: [email protected]